Family Then And Nowhttp://www.familythenandnow.com
Blog For ParentsWed, 15 Nov 2017 21:08:59 +0000enhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.3My Son Almost Lost His Scholarship Because Of Facebook Livehttp://www.familythenandnow.com/son-almost-lost-scholarship-facebook-live/
Wed, 15 Nov 2017 21:08:59 +0000http://www.familythenandnow.com/?p=113Facebook Live allows people to live stream videos where others can watch, comment, and participate. Facebook isn’t the only social…

]]>Facebook Live allows people to live stream videos where others can watch, comment, and participate. Facebook isn’t the only social media service to offer this, though. Twitter and Snapchat also has live streaming capabilities. Kids love using them, but the videos they record can hurt their reputation later on. A school official or potential employer can use the Internet to find a person and discover inappropriate posts and live streams. My son, who was a high school senior at the time, almost lost his full ride sports scholarship because of a Facebook Live video he posted.

My Son’s Live Stream Video

There was nothing too terrible in the video. He was at a party where he was drinking with his friends. In the video, he was drunk and ranting about his coach. Now of course, I don’t approve of my son drinking while underage. But we’re not naïve, either – we know that teenagers make bad choices. Unfortunately, my son chose to post his bad choice on the Internet.

My son is a varsity baseball player who was offered a full scholarship to a prestigious university when he graduated high school. We were thrilled that he was offered such an amazing scholarship! There was no way we could afford to pay for a top-rated school like that out of pocket. We also didn’t want him to have to take out too many student loans.

But when my son filled out his application for the school, the admissions counselor used his name to find a person, along with his social media accounts. After viewing the Facebook Live video, they very nearly rescinded the scholarship offer. They thought my son’s video was irresponsible and showed poor judgment. None of these were qualities that they wanted their students to flaunt online.

My son managed to write an apology letter and demonstrate in an interview that he had learned from his mistake. But what if he had lost his scholarship? What if an employer someday finds that video and he loses out on a good job because of it?

Teach Your Kids To Live Stream Responsibly

Parents, you can learn from our mistakes. Talk to your kids now about the dangers of live streaming. Teach them how to be safe online. And show them how to manage their privacy settings so their videos and posts aren’t publicly available to anyone that tries to find a person on social media.

Kids don’t always use the best discretion when they post videos online.

Live streaming is a rush for kids. They enjoy the attention they get from it, so they tend to post controversial things to get reactions. But those videos, just like photos, last forever. There is no way to completely delete something once it’s online. It can always pop up when someone is trying to find a person online. So, if your kid makes a mistake by live streaming something inappropriate when they’re in middle or high school, it might eventually impact their career.

There’s no way to keep your kids from live streaming if they have a smartphone. You may not even know they’re using Facebook Live because they can hide their posts. I didn’t even know my son had posted a live stream while he was at a party. So the best thing you can do is teach your child about the dangers of live streaming so they can protect their future.

]]>4 Ways You Can Be A Good Role Model To Your Childrenhttp://www.familythenandnow.com/4-ways-you-can-be-a-good-role-model-to-your-children/
Wed, 18 Oct 2017 14:07:26 +0000http://www.familythenandnow.com/?p=104Kids look up to adults and try their best to copy them; that’s why we need to teach them right…

]]>Kids look up to adults and try their best to copy them; that’s why we need to teach them right from wrong. But there’s more to it than that. As their parent, you need to be a good role model to your children in every aspect of your life. We all make mistakes, but it’s crucial that you show them how to be understanding and kind. Here are a few simple ways you can demonstrate these qualities for them every day.

Listen To Your Children

Set aside time for quality conversations with your children.

Engaging conversations are one of the best ways to show your children that you care. When you genuinely care about what they have to say, they’ll understand how important it is to truly listen to other people. They’ll be more likely to take other people’s feelings and opinions into consideration.

Emphasize Responsibility

You and your spouse probably have a system in place for household chores. Whether you split them evenly among each other, or you have a cleaning service come in every so often, you should show your children how they can do their part around the house. Giving them simple tasks, like cleaning their bedrooms or putting their plates in the dishwasher, will help them understand what goes into keeping a house clean and organized.

Be Open About Your Feelings

One thing children struggle with is controlling and showing their emotions in a healthy way. This is a normal part of growing up, but you can guide them through it. If you’re feeling upset or happy about something, explain how you feel in simple terms to your children. You’ll be showing them how they can express their emotions through words, not tantrums, too.

As parents, we have to be caring mothers, loving wives, and trustworthy friends. But you have to be a role model to your children, too. They learn best by example, and who better to set an example for them than their mother? Keeping these guidelines in mind will show your children how to interact with the world around them.

]]>Why Your Marriage Needs to be a Good Example for Your Childhttp://www.familythenandnow.com/marriage-good-example-for-your-child/
Wed, 20 Sep 2017 20:07:56 +0000http://www.familythenandnow.com/?p=93I don’t mention him often in my blog posts, but I truly love my husband. We’ve been together for nearly…

]]>I don’t mention him often in my blog posts, but I truly love my husband. We’ve been together for nearly three decades now. And every day, we continue to show how much we love each other. It may sound cliche, but I’m still crazy about him, and I know he feels the same way about me. Our children have witnessed how happy our marriage is and I hope that it’ll encourage them to make the right decisions in their own lives. Believe it or not, but your kids can pick up on resentment, unhappiness, and signs your husband is cheating. Here’s why you should make your marriage a good example for your child to follow.

They’ll Know What a Happy Relationship Looks Like

Just like with almost everything else, children need to be taught about relationships. They’re not born into this world with all the answers, and don’t always know the difference between right and wrong. If they grow up seeing their mother and father fight all the time, or notice signs your husband is cheating, your child might think that’s normal. This can affect their perception when they’re old enough to pursue their own romantic relationship. By showing respect, love, and understanding to your spouse in front of your child, they can learn what’s essential in a fulfilling relationship.

They’ll Learn About Conflict Resolution

It’s pretty much common knowledge that every couple fights, it’s not a criminal offense. Even though most of my relationship with my husband has been smooth sailing, we’ve had our disagreements over the years. What sets us apart from many other couples I know is how we resolve them. We hear each other out, use respectful language, and work as a team to come to a solution. Having your child witness how you and your spouse resolve a conflict can influence their own conflict resolution skills.

They’ll Discover it’s Okay to Make Mistakes

Your child will experience happier relationships when they can be themselves.

Not every marriage is perfect, and neither are the parties involved. We’re all only human. That’s why there’s forgiveness. Your child may not learn this important life lesson on their own. So, if you show them that you and your spouse are willing to apologize and forgive each other if something goes wrong, they won’t have to put unneeded pressure on themselves. This will also help them avoid holding grudges and harboring negative emotions.

One other point I’d like to make is that not every married couple lasts. That’s okay, too. It’s better for your children if they grow up with two parents who are separated, but happy, instead of together and miserable. If your child recognizes signs your husband is cheating, it’s time that you sit down with them and have a talk. You’ll need to make the best decision for not only your happiness, but also your child’s.

]]>Should Your Kids Be Active On Social Media?http://www.familythenandnow.com/should-your-kids-be-active-on-social-media/
Mon, 28 Aug 2017 16:37:35 +0000http://www.familythenandnow.com/?p=75One question that parents struggle with, is how active they should allow their kids to be on social media? It’s…

]]>One question that parents struggle with, is how active they should allow their kids to be on social media? It’s a tough question to answer, one which I struggled with myself. On one hand, kids need to know how to responsibly use social media. But on the other hand, social media can open the door to online bullying and other negative influences that could cause problems within our adolescents. This post will help you decide how much social media to let your kids consume, and give you tools such as the best spy apps to use to monitor your children online.

Establishing Social Media For Your Kids

It’s always good to monitor your children’s social media accounts.

Experts say, that whether or not you let your kids use social media, it’s a smart idea to start accounts in their name on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat and other social media platforms that are popular with kids and teenagers. Setting up accounts in your child’s name accomplishes two different goals. The first one, is establishing your child’s identity. By establishing accounts for your child, you are protecting your child’s online identity from potential harm. The second goal, is that it allows you to set up the privacy controls for those accounts. You can establish who can see your child’s posts, who is allowed to message your child and more. You should set up accounts for your child, even if you don’t allow them to use those accounts right away.

Teaching Your Children Online Responsibility

Social media is something that is, most likely, going to be a part of your child’s life. This being said, it is extremely important for children to learn how to use social media responsibly. If you allow your child to use social media, don’t give them unrestricted access. The best way to teach your children safe and responsible social media use, is to create rules regarding social media. One way to accomplish this goal is by monitoring your child’s cell phone, using the best spy apps on the market.

By seeing who your children are talking to and by familiarizing yourself with what they are doing on their electronics, you can understand if they are ready to have their own social media accounts. You can never be too cautious about your child’s online safety. Using the best spy apps is easy and provides you with step by step instructions, taking the worry out of your life.

Guide Your Child In The Right Direction

Teach your children how to post things that are safe and responsible. Teach them not to reveal too much information in their posts. For example, your home address, where they are going, or who they are going to meet at a certain time. Review any photos they post, before they are posted, so you can be sure the photos are appropriate. Make sure that the photos they post are not publicly visible, but rather only shared with chosen friends. Communicating with your child about the dangers of social media is an important part of teaching your child to use social media responsibly.

Monitor Their Social Media

A good parent teaches their child social media responsibility more effectively, if they are actively monitoring their child’s social media. Read messages that your child receives and then discuss with your child why the message was or was not appropriate. Block anyone that you don’t want your child interacting with!

]]>With how prominent cell phones are in our society, it’s no surprise that your kid is probably asking you when they can get one of their very own. However, you may have some reservations. If your child is in elementary or middle school, do they really need it? Will they make use of it? And if they do, should you install a spy phone app on their phone to make sure they’re safe? I’m here to help you answer these questions, and more.

The Best Age for a Cell Phone

While it’s up to each parent’s individual discretion, there are a few basic guidelines to help you decide when to purchase a cell phone for your child. If they are 12 years old or younger, it may be best to hold off on purchasing a smartphone until they can understand the dangers that can come with using the Internet. Instead, your kid can use a very basic phone to send texts and make calls. This will help you keep in contact with them if they’re regularly staying after school, attending sports practices, and visiting their friends’ homes for sleepovers. Then, when they turn 13, you can sit them down and discuss the importance of responsible Internet use. If you feel that your child is responsible enough, it may be time to buy them a smartphone, equipped with a spy phone app.

Reasons for Having a Cell Phone

Pokémon GO, a popular mobile game, may be one reason why your child wants a smartphone.

Does your child want a smartphone to stay in touch with their friends? Or do they want one so they can browse the Internet and play games? Your own personal priority might be getting in touch with them whenever they’re out at the mall, in school, or playing sports. They should be reminded that checking in with you via text/call is their number one responsibility while they’re out. You may also want to limit your kid’s data usage to ensure they aren’t spending too much time on their phone. A cell phone is a privilege, not a right. If they don’t understand this, then they’re not ready to own one.

Keeping Track of Your Child

Even if you give your child a smartphone, they might forget to call you and tell you where they are, leaving you worried. With a spy phone app installed on their device, you can track their location, see who they’ve been texting, and who they are talking to on social media. That way, you don’t have to stress if they don’t answer your texts or calls right away. Your kid will have the independence they crave while giving you the peace of mind you need.

Are you still unsure about whether you should purchase a cell phone for your child or not? Feel free to contact me with your questions.

]]>How To Make Sure Your Children Are Safe Onlinehttp://www.familythenandnow.com/keep-your-kids-safe-online/
Tue, 27 Jun 2017 19:18:14 +0000http://www.familythenandnow.com/?p=23As every parent knows, your children always come first. You do everything in your power to protect them. But how…

]]>As every parent knows, your children always come first. You do everything in your power to protect them. But how can you be sure they are staying safe on the internet? In today’s world, so much of our kid’s time is spent online. The only way you can ensure their safety is by monitoring their online behavior. The problem is, as children get older, they want more and more privacy. So how can parents ensure their child’s safety without having to stand over them every time they go to use their smart phone? By downloading cell phone monitoring software.

Cell Phone Monitoring Software

Ensure your child’s safety with cell phone monitoring software

This software allows you to monitor your child’s devices remotely. So you don’t have to be standing over them every time they go to tweet. You can read everything from texts, emails and social media posts while viewing all their pictures and videos to ensure they are acting responsibly. Installing cell phone monitoring software is so easy anyone can do it. After installation, you can view just about everything from the targeted cell phone on your own phone or computer. With this software you can even access the GPS location of the phone, so you know your children are safe even when they are outside the house.

Online Behavior

Another important issue to discuss with your children is how to behave on social media. Nowadays, schools as well as employers look extensively into applicants social media pages to ensure that the candidate is worth hiring/admitting. What many children don’t understand is that it is very difficult to remain anonymous over social media. And once something finds it’s way onto the internet it could follow you for the rest of your life. But with cell phone monitoring software, you can ensure that your children are behaving responsibly, even while online.

Cyber Bullying

Has your child been the victim of cyber bullying?

One online issue that affects a significant amount children each year is cyber bullying. Most kids, especially teenagers, have a hard time talking about being bullied. But with cell phone monitoring software you won’t have to guess whether or not your children have become a target. Better yet, you’ll be able to see a detailed account of the situation. That way you can decide the best course of action to diffuse the situation, or report the offender to the appropriate authorities.

If you would like to find out more about how you can help keep your family safe online, or if you have a question about another topic, don’t hesitate to contact me.